PM's relief package for farmers declared violation of ECP code of conduct
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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday denounced the farmers' relief package announced by the prime minister as a violation of ECP code of conduct and barred the government from implementing it, DawnNews reported.
The decision was announced citing the reason that the relief offered through farmers' package was not part of the budget speech made by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
While giving an in-camera briefing to media, Secretary Election Commission Babar Yaqoob said that three pointers of the farmers' relief package came under criticism.
These three points listed here:
- Rs5,000 per acre to the farmers to the extent of 12.5 acres.
- 2 per cent reduction in rate of interest for rice and cotton growers.
- Rise from Rs2,000 to 4,000 in production index unit of agricultural land.
Editorial: Farmers’ package
Earlier, the ECP had asked the government officials to explain the announcement of farmers' relief package by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ahead of the upcoming local body polls in Sindh and Punjab.
The prime minister had announced a relief package of Rs341 billion on September 15 to revive the farm sector.
The package provides a direct benefit of Rs147bn to small farmers across the country whereas an additional loan of Rs194bn will be available to the agriculture sector.
The ECP code of conduct for LG polls in Sindh and Punjab categorically states that the political parties and candidates participating in the elections shall not offer or announce any financial help to any person or institution after the announcement of schedule for elections.
Major opposition parties had already rejected the package for farmers and termed it a ‘pack of lies’ and gimmickry of the PML-N government aimed at influencing coming LG elections.
Through the aforementioned package, the government had decided to provide a cash support of Rs5,000 with immediate effect to the growers of cotton and rice as a direct relief.
The amount was supposed to be disbursed among the farmers owning a maximum of 12.5 acres of land. It will cost the government Rs20bn.
The amount will be equally shared by the provincial government concerned.
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On DawnNews
Comments (46) Closed
Sep 30, 2015 06:41pm
They have the habit of buying everything, this includes votes.
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Sep 30, 2015 06:43pm
Now SC will grant stay order.
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Sep 30, 2015 06:43pm
Suddenly ECP started working on its job, wow! I would say credit goes to PTI, who despite its weakness has contributed so much to Pakistan politics positively that I could see an example of it in the past!
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Sep 30, 2015 06:45pm
Well done. Good to see ECP becoming a stronger institution...
Love him or hate him, without IK, the process of ECP becoming stronger would never have even been started.
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Sep 30, 2015 06:52pm
they have brains and they will find another way!
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Sep 30, 2015 07:10pm
What rubbish. The people in Sindh don't want Sharif re-elected. Land reform is the only thing that will save Pakistan from a real civil war. Sharif's plan will make farmers far more productive and get rid of farm subsidies.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:16pm
Announcement of package to farmers will benefit PML(N) although it has been suspended by Election Commission. Farmers can hope to get relief at least next year.Farmers will vote for PML(N). Now it will be for other parties to announce still better package when they come in power.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:20pm
in your face PML-N now craft another way to spend public funds and give handouts to buy votes! I will not be surprised if they still do it, who cares about ECP anyway!
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Sep 30, 2015 07:25pm
SC will give clean chit in next 20 days.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:27pm
It seems ECP is now in direct confrontation with ruling party, I think they dont want accusation of supporting ruling party from Imran khan but that does not mean ECP will give unjustified verdict like this.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:28pm
So PMLN allowed ECP to get this much, huh?
I guess now the campaign will be.... see we had this package for you, but PTI stopped it!
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Sep 30, 2015 07:30pm
If there was any common sense, this package should not be delayed... it should be cancelled!
If it wasnt in the budget, then it was clearly a gimmick for the elections and not a part of the economic plan. As it stands, the PMLN can still use it in the election campaign, as it has merely been delayed!
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Sep 30, 2015 07:33pm
You can see the seriousness of the government while announcing such a huge package. No planning, no allotment in the annual budget, just came the idea to someone in the dream and was announced when got woke up.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:39pm
We wont be witnessing this Verdict has Khan not Accelerated the Pressure on ECP!
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Sep 30, 2015 07:45pm
ECP is basically allowing this package AFTER the polls. So farmers will vote on the pretext of a promise. If this is not pre-poll rigging then what is. Now it has ECP's stamp on it as well. Well played PMLN.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:53pm
whats the point now as PML has bought the votes already by announcing the package. but it is good in a way that they have to announce the packages if they have to win seat and stay in Govt.
Good competition.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:57pm
@Syed M. Nazim In between your lines you are suggesting that farmers in Pakistan are so stupid that they are not able to see the reasons of introduction of this package prior to local body election and they still will vote for SS.
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Sep 30, 2015 07:58pm
@Cyrus WOW, civil war, do you understand the meaning of this term in real sense?
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Sep 30, 2015 08:01pm
If I understand correctly the corrupt mind setup of the current regime, they will fool the farmers by saying that Nawaz and Shahbaz want to help you but it is election commission which is creating hurdles. Nawaz league has demonstrated in the past that they have money to buy the conscious of every Pakistani in order to stay in power.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:02pm
My PM is not aware of ECP violation, great premier. Can ECP take this violation to SC?
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Sep 30, 2015 08:05pm
What a shame that the farmers relief package has become a victim of PTI politics. The farmers must now realize that PTI is the real enemy.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:13pm
There is so much corruption, selfishness, and dishonesty in Pakistan. No body seems to have any idea about doing some thing for the people, except Imran Khan.
But the tragedy is that the people are also corrupt and selfish.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:14pm
Highly selfish demand! If this Government for any reason, trying to do something for the benefit of the long neglected farmers, these goons want to to blockade their way for getting once in a lifetime benefit coming their way. Pathetic thinking as if they will get the government just because of this single reason.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:25pm
@responsible : A courts of law is not a court of justice. It is supposed to have no eyes, ears and sentiments!
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Sep 30, 2015 08:28pm
Someone explain what the importance of 4 seats is in front of the plight of farmers. The government should stop working because idiots from PT I want to lose in by elections. First of all it benefits the entire nation not only the contesting constituencies. Second there aren't exactly a lot of farmers in central Punjab. PTI is a party that instead of accomplishing ANYTHING, is more concerned with preventing any sort of development from the party in power
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Sep 30, 2015 08:29pm
What about Subsidy on Fertilizers that was actually part of the budget? Will that be put on hold too?
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Sep 30, 2015 08:34pm
In civilised countries, the PM will resign for this kind of gimmick.
Somebody should ask Mr. Ishaq Dar regarding 500MM euro bond, why on the earth it yeilds whooping 8.65% and who bought these bonds. We need to know the names of companies, thier directors. I am sure truth will reveal the that PMLN and their cronies will benefit from this issue of euro bond.
Poor Pakistani children will pay 8.65% in future. SHAME!!!
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Sep 30, 2015 08:37pm
Absolutely, I don't think anyone had any doubts about the intent. It was clear prepoll rigging and nothing else. That is how PML-N plays with the minds of poor innocent people to buy their votes.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:39pm
Majority of the farmers are the real enemies of this country. Due to their lack of political awareness they elect the same candidates for assemblies over and over irrespective of their performance. Those feudal lords keep them continously deprived and the cycle goes on.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:40pm
Now who is the sufferer. The one who was to be benefitted, in this case it was the farmer. ECP has rightly reacted but at the wrong time.
Whatever one does something positive IK will open his big mouth and start babbling. It is his habit. One will note this fact in the next days.
Let us see what does the Supreme Court says if and when an appeal is lodged by the government.
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Sep 30, 2015 08:46pm
The PM relief package related to farmers who mostly come under NA 154 and ECP is showing its teeth now when by- elections in that constituency are not to be conducted now due Supreme court issuing stay order.ECP is not so brave to confront Gov.Its an eye wash.
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Sep 30, 2015 09:10pm
@Shakil Ahmed Khan
Sir, What public funds? The national treasury is empty. Whatever funds we have belongs to the IMF or the international donors. Or the government will simply resort to printing notes (quantitative easing as it is fashionably called in the WEST).
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Sep 30, 2015 09:12pm
So PML-N have got two excuses for not delivering anything. The "Dharna" and now the "ECP". Just see how deftly they will manipulate both to their advantage.
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Sep 30, 2015 09:19pm
Actually imran was trying to use the farmer card against government in local government elections and was planning to take farmers rally on Oct 4 to Islamabad, but now its useless. So no problem after elections government will implement its plan yes people have come to know who is creating hindrance in their way just to get the power and to be PM - now the people will ruin imran's plans to be PM. But one thing is proved that PTI is really a party of toddlers and infants they will take time to grow up mentally.... a lot of time.
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Sep 30, 2015 09:20pm
I see win win situaiton for PML-N; now they have to delay the package and also this will create hate among farmers for opposition parties; so basically Nawaz will not pay to farmers and bag the votes also
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Sep 30, 2015 10:31pm
The credit goes to PTI only for their unflinching stance against corruption and foul play.
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Sep 30, 2015 10:48pm
How long these law less government will suck Pakistani blood? Who will rescue Pakistani people from these Monsters, PML-N and PPP?
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Sep 30, 2015 10:53pm
@Akib no offence but do you know, what is economics.. no. Where will the money come from when there is no provision in the announced budget for year 2015-16. Plz stop bashing PTI unnecessarly, have a rational mind and think wise.
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Sep 30, 2015 10:54pm
Poor Farmers were hoping that they will sow wheat with the financial incentive given but ECP couldn't bear it and financial relief that was given to farmers of 12.5 acres is denied
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Sep 30, 2015 11:04pm
The image is worthless. Without being offensive to the gentleman in the picture, the crutch that he is using is needed more by the crippled institution that I call ECP. We as a nation have sold out souls for a fraction of the price that we pay every time we elect these goons in the government. So true that you reap what you sow. God bless Pakistan as I have lost all hope, just like most other Pakistanis.
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Sep 30, 2015 11:43pm
@Bannananana ....Farmers are not those farmers of 1947. Farmers knows how they were ignored by NS for past 30 months and past 30 years. It is not PTI but 21 political parties rejected the kisan package as kisan were bluffed for vote corruption and terrorism. Thora sa bannana kha lain to increase wisdom. Try to avoid misleading the nation please.
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Oct 01, 2015 12:16am
Even if it was approved do you think our Govt officials and Politicians will hand over the money instead it will end up in all politicians pockets.
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Oct 01, 2015 01:53am
@AH Nope.. #ThankyouRaheelSharif
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Oct 01, 2015 02:29am
Now PML (N) will go to the Supreme Court and get a stay order. or The supreme court will take a suo moto notice to declare this action by ECP null & void.
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Oct 01, 2015 03:10am
SC should save PML(N).
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Oct 01, 2015 06:51am
Actually it goes in favor of pmln. Voters know the package and will vote in the hope. However pmln got an excuse now , not to give the package even after the elections. Vow. In my view pmln looks good and pti bad for the voters.
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